System and method for detecting and controlling transmission devices

Abstract

A method of detecting, controlling and managing transmission of a transmitting device within a facility is disclosed. The method involves transmitting information to the transmission device, detecting a response transmission from the transmission device by a least one transmission detection facility, extracting identification information associated with the transmission device in response to the transmitted information; and determining a location of the transmission device based on the response transmission received by the at least one received transmission detection facility, wherein the response transmissions are sorted by the identification information, determining an allowability of the located transmission device with the set area and interacting and manipulating transmission of the detected transmitting device.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for detecting a transmission device within a set area comprising:
 transmitting information to said transmission device, said information causing the transmission device to attempt connection to an available base station covering the set area; 
 detecting a response transmission from said transmission device by a plurality of transmission detection facilities; 
 extracting identification information associated with said transmission device contained in the response transmission 
 sorting said response transmission received by the plurality of transmission detection facilities based on a characteristic of the transmission device; 
 determining a location of the transmission device based on said sorted response transmissions received by said plurality of transmission detection facilities, wherein said plurality of transmission detection facilities are non-coplanar; 
 determining an allowability of said located transmission device within said set area based on said identification information and said location; and 
 preventing connection of the transmission device to the available base station when allowability is not indicated. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extracted identification information comprises a unique identification characteristic associated with said transmission device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein allowability of the transmission device is based on a list of allowable identification characteristics. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transmission device is in an off state. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transmission device is in an on state. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 outputting a characterization, and said location, of said transmission device. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 outputting a signal within a frequency band about a frequency of transmission of said transmission device. 
 
     
     
       8. A system for detecting a transmission device within a set area comprising:
 a plurality of transmission detection facilities, the plurality of transmission detection facilities being non-co-planar; 
 a transceiver associated with the plurality of transmission facilities; 
 a memory including software instruction stored therein; and 
 a processor in communication with the memory and transceiver, said processor accessing the software instructions in the memory, wherein the software instruction causes the processor to: 
 transmit information to said transmission device through a selected one of said transmission detection facilities, said information causing the transmission device to attempt connection to an available base station covering the set area; 
 detect a response transmission from said transmission device by selected ones of said plurality of transmission detection facilities; 
 extract identification information associated with said transmission device contained in the response transmission; 
 sort said response transmission received by the selected ones of the plurality of transmission detection facilities based on a characteristic of the transmission device; 
 determine a location of the transmission device based on said received sorted response transmissions; 
 determine an allowability of said located transmission device within said set area based on said identification information; and 
 preventing connection of the transmission device to the available base station when allowability is not indicated. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein said extracted identification information comprises a unique identification characteristic associated with said transmission device. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8  wherein allowability of the transmission device is based on a list of allowable identification characteristics. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein said transmission device is in an off state. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein said transmission device is in an on state. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 outputting a characterization, and said location, of said transmission device. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 outputting a signal within a frequency band about a frequency of transmission of said transmission device.